On Monday we honor our veterans. Those veterans of the past, those from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, the war in the Balkans and every battlefield in every country where American soldiers have walked deserve this recognition, as do those who have stayed at home or worked on bases outside this country’s borders. Their sacrifices are the reason we continue to walk free here in the United States.

At 3 p.m. on Monday, the sirens in Dallas County and Selma will sound. Our local officials have asked us to stop for one minute, just 60 seconds, to honor those veterans, living and dead. One minute out of days and days and years and years of service by those men and women just doesn’t seem like much, considering what so many have given to us.

The moment of silence is symbolic. It is a way of showing respect.

It is likely that you know a veteran or have one in your family. It is unlikely that there is a family in this nation that does not have a veteran or has connection to a veteran. If that person is living, go to them and thank them for giving up a portion of their life. If that person has died, then visit the cemetery and stand in reverence at the grave. Most veterans’ graves will have small American flags on them Monday. If you visit a cemetery, then think about that flag and what it means and the person who gave to allow that flag to fly freely.

On Monday, we honor our veterans, and in doing so, we honor our country, our families and our way of life.